Southern standard. (McMinnville, Tenn.) 1879-current, 1887-04-30
Cincinnati, Huntsville and Birming-
ham Rail Road.

Engineer who conducted the first
survey Of the Nashville q Chatta-
nooga Rail Road and whose report is
before me, uses this language:
"The route examined through this
region, after leaving the mountain,
passes two and three quarter miles
above Winchester. Z X
"The southerly detour in the line,
which is necessary to pass the noun
tain at its low depression, is not with
out its counterbalancing advantages.
In addition to the greater extent of
mineral and fertile region thereby ac-
commodated, the route is thrown
within distance of Huntsville, which
will render a communication with
that Important section of country by
a branch intersecting it near Win
chester, not only more feasible as an
outlet to the Atlantic than any other,
but it will at the same time give them
a connection with New Orleons infe-
rior to none that has been suggested"
Later, Levander Poe, the projec-
tor of the S. w. r. r. and its con-
nections leading from a point south
of Cincinnati via McMinnville, Win
chester, & Alabama r. r., Huntsville
etc., to the Gulf, characterizes this as
the route over which is to "fioat the
commerce of the Union" This lat
ter route, the S. w. r. r., is what
may now be termed the Cincinnati,
Huntsville & Birmingham r. r.,
whose projectors indicate as objective
points, either Somerset, KY, or some
point south of it on the Cincinnati
Southern r. r., as the starting,
Huntsville as an intermediate and
Birmingham as the southern termi-
nus.
Now, if they propose, by fair in
strumental test, to indicate the loca.
ton of this road, we think that the
points through which it will run will
be found to be Sparta, McMinnville
Decherd, Winchester, Flora, Hunts
vile and thence to Birmingham, anG
if the various competing routes are
willing to adopt the broad principle
of abiding by the shortest and cheap
est route, which route should be Sc
lected by those who build the road
all interests may, upon this principle
be harmonized, and if we are not upor
this shortest and cheapest route W.
should be willing to abandon al
claims and wish the favored route
God speed.
The last road ofwhich had charge
the original n. E. & S. W. Ala. R.R.
now, the Ala. GreatSouthern between
Chattanooga and Meridian, 800 miles
in length, was located and built upor
this principle, namely, ] was instruct
ed by the Directory to make a fina
location. of the road upon the short
est and cheapest route between ant
through the objective points, as indi
Gated by the charter, and those inter
ested were informed that upon thi
route they should have the road
the means could be obtained for it
construction. All interested harmon
lied upon this grand principle ant
the road was built. Such principl
not only harmonizes all competing
interests, but by adopting the bes
route, the best interests of the stock
holders are consulted and promoted
the completion of the road is expedi
ted and competition is defied in tn
future from companies who woul
not fail to take advantage of a tai
ure to adopt the better route and sli
in, occupy the true route and reap tn
legitimate fruits thereof.
+. ID. SANFORD.
Chm. r.. r. Com.
Franklin Co., Tenn.